Will the German be the sixth player in history to kick off his Grand Slam title record at over 28 years old? Will he succeed?
It is increasingly difficult to argue against Alexander Zverev having the dubious honor of being the best tennis player of all time without a Grand Slam title to his name. The German has been a strong candidate for years to achieve a goal that has become an obsession. In 2026, he will seek to challenge history and join the exclusive club of tennis champions winning their first major title at over 28 years old.
Every child’s big dreams in tennis are to win a Grand Slam and become world number 1. Despite showcasing great talent for a decade, Alexander Zverev has not achieved either of these milestones. Winner of 7 Masters 1000 titles, an Olympic gold medalist, two-time ATP Finals champion, and a regular top-3 player, the German faces a fresh opportunity to add more meaning to his career in 2026.
Zverev has lost 3 Grand Slam finals and is considered one of the best players in history without a Grand Slam title
After a challenging 2025 with physical issues, self-doubt from painful defeats, and a fear of glory when close to victory, Sascha knows time is running out. At 28 years old, only five players in history have won their first Grand Slam. Despite being ranked world number 3, the gap in tennis level separating him from Sinner and Alcaraz seems insurmountable at the moment. Many believe that the real alternative to the Italian and Spanish players would be Djokovic.
Having faced the Big 3 at the peak of their careers, Alexander Zverev now tackles two rising stars who have taken advantage of his uncertainties to establish themselves as dominant forces on the tour. Despite favorable head-to-head records with Jannik and Carlos, with a 4-6 negative record against the Italian and 6-6 with the Spanish, the challenge lies in winning matches against supposedly lesser opponents.
The growth of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz makes it challenging to win a Grand Slam in 2026 without defeating them both. Beating one of them in such a prestigious event is already a huge task, but securing two consecutive victories against the circuit’s kings is an epic feat. However, if Alexander Zverev regains his best form and overcomes the ghosts of this year, opportunities to make history in 2026 could arise.
Tennis players who won their first Grand Slam title at over 28 years old
Andrés Gimeno: 34 years and 10 months, at Roland Garros 1972
Andrés Gómez: 30 years and 3 months, at Roland Garros 1990
Petr Korda: 30 years and 9 days, at the Australian Open 1998
Goran Ivanisevic: 29 years and 9 months, at Wimbledon 2001
Stan Wawrinka: 28 years and 9 months, at the Australian Open 2Having faced the Big 3 at the peak of their careers, Alexander Zverev now tackles two rising stars who have taken advantage of his uncertainties to establish themselves as dominant forces on the tour. Despite favorable head-to-head records with Jannik and Carlos, with a 4-6 negative record against the Italian and 6-6 with the Spanish, the challenge lies in winning matches against supposedly lesser opponents.
The growth of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz makes it challenging to win a Grand Slam in 2026 without defeating them both. Beating one of them in such a prestigious event is already a huge task, but securing two consecutive victories against the circuit’s kings is an epic feat. However, if Alexander Zverev regains his best form and overcomes the ghosts of this year, opportunities to make history in 2026 could arise.
Tennis players who won their first Grand Slam title at over 28 years old
Andrés Gimeno: 34 years and 10 months, at Roland Garros 1972
Andrés Gómez: 30 years and 3 months, at Roland Garros 1990
Petr Korda: 30 years and 9 days, at the Australian Open 1998
Goran Ivanisevic: 29 years and 9 months, at Wimbledon 2001
Stan Wawrinka: 28 years and 9 months, at the Australian Open 2014
